"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
The Greek word translated "workmanship" is a word from which we get our English word poem. As people saved through God's grace in Christ, we are God's poem, His work of art, His masterpiece. Through the good works that flow out of our life as a result of His grace in us God shows His amazing handiwork to the world. The transformation of a life from sinful self-centeredness to Christ-like goodness in word and deed is a work of art that only God can perform through His amazing grace in Christ Jesus. Let His handiwork shine forth through your life today.
Father, I rejoice in the grace You have given me in Christ and pray that Your master workmanship will shine forth out of my life today to the praise and glory of Your name.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Consecration and Prayer
"Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel's behalf, and the LORD answered him." 1 Samuel 7:9
Samuel's ministry on behalf of Israel involved consecration and intercession. Offering a lamb as burnt offering was a symbol of consecration (total commitment to God). The lamb was offered to God as a symbol of the worshipers dedication of his life to God. Samuel was personally consecrated to the Lord and he led the Israelites to consecrate themselves to the Lord (see 1 Sam. 7:3-6; click reference to read). Following the consecration of their lives to the Lord Samuel then prayed for God to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of the Philistines. God answered his prayer and brought a great deliverance to Israel.
Consecration of ourselves to God must precede powerful praying. "The prayer of a righteous (i.e. consecrated) man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). Prayer from a consecrated soul will find favor with God. Let all your praying first begin with a time of soul searching through the light of the Holy Spirit and confession of sin as He convicts you. Then with a cleansed life proceed to seek God's powerful working in your life and the lives of those around you.
Father, search me today and cleanse me from all sin that I may prevail with You in prayer as You desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Samuel's ministry on behalf of Israel involved consecration and intercession. Offering a lamb as burnt offering was a symbol of consecration (total commitment to God). The lamb was offered to God as a symbol of the worshipers dedication of his life to God. Samuel was personally consecrated to the Lord and he led the Israelites to consecrate themselves to the Lord (see 1 Sam. 7:3-6; click reference to read). Following the consecration of their lives to the Lord Samuel then prayed for God to deliver the Israelites out of the hand of the Philistines. God answered his prayer and brought a great deliverance to Israel.
Consecration of ourselves to God must precede powerful praying. "The prayer of a righteous (i.e. consecrated) man is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). Prayer from a consecrated soul will find favor with God. Let all your praying first begin with a time of soul searching through the light of the Holy Spirit and confession of sin as He convicts you. Then with a cleansed life proceed to seek God's powerful working in your life and the lives of those around you.
Father, search me today and cleanse me from all sin that I may prevail with You in prayer as You desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, July 26, 2010
More Like Jesus
"Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:3-4
One of the temptations we face is to compare our self to somebody else whom we deem less faithful or spiritually mature than our self. In so doing we comfort our self that we are doing quite well after all and we slip into complacency.
There is only one to whom we are to compare our self and that is Jesus Christ. To be like Him is the whole aim of our Christian life (see Romans 8:29; click on the reference to read the verse). Until we have reached the full measure of the stature of Christ (see Ephesians 4:13) we cannot rest in our effort to grow and mature spiritually.
We may grow discouraged in striving to become like Christ but we need to remember that our success does not rest with us but with God. He has given us His Holy Spirit to conform us degree by degree into the likeness of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Keep the goal of Christ-likeness before you. Never be content with any lesser standard. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you. Enjoy the journey. You will not arrive overnight but you will arrive by His grace and for His glory.
Father, help me to never be content to measure my spiritual maturity and faithfulness against another sinful man but inspire me daily to strive for the high calling of being conformed to the image of Your Son, my Savior.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
One of the temptations we face is to compare our self to somebody else whom we deem less faithful or spiritually mature than our self. In so doing we comfort our self that we are doing quite well after all and we slip into complacency.
There is only one to whom we are to compare our self and that is Jesus Christ. To be like Him is the whole aim of our Christian life (see Romans 8:29; click on the reference to read the verse). Until we have reached the full measure of the stature of Christ (see Ephesians 4:13) we cannot rest in our effort to grow and mature spiritually.
We may grow discouraged in striving to become like Christ but we need to remember that our success does not rest with us but with God. He has given us His Holy Spirit to conform us degree by degree into the likeness of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 3:17-18). Keep the goal of Christ-likeness before you. Never be content with any lesser standard. Rely on the Holy Spirit to help you. Enjoy the journey. You will not arrive overnight but you will arrive by His grace and for His glory.
Father, help me to never be content to measure my spiritual maturity and faithfulness against another sinful man but inspire me daily to strive for the high calling of being conformed to the image of Your Son, my Savior.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Christ in You
"My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you..."
Galatians 4:19
The essence of the Christian life is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). The miracle of the Christian life is that Christ not only leads us from above but He lives in us through His Spirit.
The goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ. But Christ-likeness is not attained through personal efforts at reforming our bad habits and character into His good habits and character. Christ-likeness is attained through allowing Christ to so live His life in you until "Christ is formed in you..." Let Christ be not just your example and teacher but your Lord who takes mastery over your life shaping you into His own image. Let Christ be not just a significant part of your life but let Him become your life (see Colossians 4:4).
Lord Jesus, live Your glorious life fully and freely in me today. Transform me into Your likeness as You live through me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Galatians 4:19
The essence of the Christian life is "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27). The miracle of the Christian life is that Christ not only leads us from above but He lives in us through His Spirit.
The goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ. But Christ-likeness is not attained through personal efforts at reforming our bad habits and character into His good habits and character. Christ-likeness is attained through allowing Christ to so live His life in you until "Christ is formed in you..." Let Christ be not just your example and teacher but your Lord who takes mastery over your life shaping you into His own image. Let Christ be not just a significant part of your life but let Him become your life (see Colossians 4:4).
Lord Jesus, live Your glorious life fully and freely in me today. Transform me into Your likeness as You live through me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
God at Work
"For God who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles." Galatians 2:8
God's working in a ministry makes all the difference. It is God's activity that both authenticates a ministry as from Him and that makes a ministry effective. Peter's ministry among the Jews was effective because God had sent him (apostle = sent one) and was working through him to reach Jews for Christ. Paul's ministry among the Gentiles was effective because God had sent him and was working through him to reach Gentiles for Christ.
Any ministry we undertake in Christ's name will only be effective to reach others for Christ if we are serving as one's sent by God in the power of God. Is God at work in our ministry? Or have we gone out on our own without seeking and relying on Him? God's work makes all the difference between mere spiritual busyness and effective ministry that draws people to Christ. We must diligently seek and rely on His working through us.
Father, help me to be yielded to Your leadership and activity in my life. I want to go where You send and to be an instrument through whom You can work to draw people to Your Son.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
God's working in a ministry makes all the difference. It is God's activity that both authenticates a ministry as from Him and that makes a ministry effective. Peter's ministry among the Jews was effective because God had sent him (apostle = sent one) and was working through him to reach Jews for Christ. Paul's ministry among the Gentiles was effective because God had sent him and was working through him to reach Gentiles for Christ.
Any ministry we undertake in Christ's name will only be effective to reach others for Christ if we are serving as one's sent by God in the power of God. Is God at work in our ministry? Or have we gone out on our own without seeking and relying on Him? God's work makes all the difference between mere spiritual busyness and effective ministry that draws people to Christ. We must diligently seek and rely on His working through us.
Father, help me to be yielded to Your leadership and activity in my life. I want to go where You send and to be an instrument through whom You can work to draw people to Your Son.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Power of Consecration
Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him. Then the Philistines seized him... Judges 16:20-21a
"He did not know that the LORD had left him." What a tragic statement! The life of Samson is really a tragic story. He was a man blessed by God with great ability and given opportunity to lead God's people Israel. However, he was all surface never achieving spiritual depth in a strong relationship with God. His long hair was not the source of Samson's strength rather it was the symbol of his consecration to God which was in fact the source of his strength. When Delilah cut his hair she did not steal his strength but God lifted His favor from Samson's life because Samson had turned his heart away from God.
Spiritual power is found in total consecration to God (commitment, being set apart to God). To maintain spiritual power we must maintain our consecration to the Lord. If we turn our heart away from the Lord we may find that God's favor has been lifted from our life and we were unaware of it. If you find yourself in such a situation return to the Lord with all your heart and His strength will fill you again. To avoid such a situation carefully maintain your consecration to the Lord day by day.
Father, You are gracious to grant to me Your strength for life's battles. Keep me mindful of the need to daily consecrate myself to You so that Your strength may flow through my life.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
"He did not know that the LORD had left him." What a tragic statement! The life of Samson is really a tragic story. He was a man blessed by God with great ability and given opportunity to lead God's people Israel. However, he was all surface never achieving spiritual depth in a strong relationship with God. His long hair was not the source of Samson's strength rather it was the symbol of his consecration to God which was in fact the source of his strength. When Delilah cut his hair she did not steal his strength but God lifted His favor from Samson's life because Samson had turned his heart away from God.
Spiritual power is found in total consecration to God (commitment, being set apart to God). To maintain spiritual power we must maintain our consecration to the Lord. If we turn our heart away from the Lord we may find that God's favor has been lifted from our life and we were unaware of it. If you find yourself in such a situation return to the Lord with all your heart and His strength will fill you again. To avoid such a situation carefully maintain your consecration to the Lord day by day.
Father, You are gracious to grant to me Your strength for life's battles. Keep me mindful of the need to daily consecrate myself to You so that Your strength may flow through my life.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Keep First Love Alive
"I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was received by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." 2 Corinthians 11:2-3
The church is the bride of Christ. We are pledged to be a faithful to Him who died for us that we might live for Him. Paul was deeply concerned that the Corinthians were being led astray by false teachers from their true devotion to Christ. It is all too easy for us to stray from Christ through buying into the errant thoughts and ways of the world around us. We must guard our hearts and minds to belong to Christ alone. We must continually fan the flame of our first love toward Him so it not dimmed by worldly lusts. When we stand before Him in heaven's glory as those He purchased with His blood may we stand as a faithful bride!
Father, help me to be alert that I might not be deceived into unfaithfulness to Jesus. If I have strayed convict me and help me return to faithfulness. Fan the flame of my love for Christ until it consumes me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The church is the bride of Christ. We are pledged to be a faithful to Him who died for us that we might live for Him. Paul was deeply concerned that the Corinthians were being led astray by false teachers from their true devotion to Christ. It is all too easy for us to stray from Christ through buying into the errant thoughts and ways of the world around us. We must guard our hearts and minds to belong to Christ alone. We must continually fan the flame of our first love toward Him so it not dimmed by worldly lusts. When we stand before Him in heaven's glory as those He purchased with His blood may we stand as a faithful bride!
Father, help me to be alert that I might not be deceived into unfaithfulness to Jesus. If I have strayed convict me and help me return to faithfulness. Fan the flame of my love for Christ until it consumes me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
BIG PICTURE
Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. 2 Corinthians 10:15b-16a
In the midst of dealing with a troubled church, Paul continued to see the opportunities which lay beyond the problems. His expectation was that the believers in Corinth would mature in their faith and this would lead to more opportunities for him to present Christ to others. He was the preeminent church planter—sharing his faith in new locations and moving on from there after the new church was sufficiently established.
As we pray for and respond to people to need to know about Jesus, consider this thought: the person that you witness to is the link to many others. In a sense, you are sharing Christ with more than one individual, and when God brings the first person into the kingdom, that opens the door to many more people.
So, continue to share Christ with the people God has placed in your life, and pray that their faith will continue to grow until they trust in Jesus. Pray that God’s work in their life (through you) will greatly expand, so that others can hear and respond to the gospel.
Father, thank you for hearing our prayer!
Have a blessed day,
Jim
In the midst of dealing with a troubled church, Paul continued to see the opportunities which lay beyond the problems. His expectation was that the believers in Corinth would mature in their faith and this would lead to more opportunities for him to present Christ to others. He was the preeminent church planter—sharing his faith in new locations and moving on from there after the new church was sufficiently established.
As we pray for and respond to people to need to know about Jesus, consider this thought: the person that you witness to is the link to many others. In a sense, you are sharing Christ with more than one individual, and when God brings the first person into the kingdom, that opens the door to many more people.
So, continue to share Christ with the people God has placed in your life, and pray that their faith will continue to grow until they trust in Jesus. Pray that God’s work in their life (through you) will greatly expand, so that others can hear and respond to the gospel.
Father, thank you for hearing our prayer!
Have a blessed day,
Jim
Monday, July 12, 2010
Generous Living
"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." 2 Corinthians 9:6
Little seed sown will result in a small harvest. Much seed will bring a large harvest. If we are generous with what God has given us we will enjoy much spiritual fruit. If we are reluctant to give we will see little spiritual fruit.
God's is generous. The Father generously gives us blessing upon blessing the chief of which is salvation through His Son. The Son generously gave His life for us. The Spirit generously pours His gifts and power into our life. If we share the life of God it will inevitably manifest itself in generous living.
We can never surpass God in our generosity and therefore we will never lack the ability to be generous. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Father, thank You for Your immeasurable generosity toward me. Manifest Your generosity through my life by enabling me to be generous with the resources, time, and gifts You have entrusted me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Little seed sown will result in a small harvest. Much seed will bring a large harvest. If we are generous with what God has given us we will enjoy much spiritual fruit. If we are reluctant to give we will see little spiritual fruit.
God's is generous. The Father generously gives us blessing upon blessing the chief of which is salvation through His Son. The Son generously gave His life for us. The Spirit generously pours His gifts and power into our life. If we share the life of God it will inevitably manifest itself in generous living.
We can never surpass God in our generosity and therefore we will never lack the ability to be generous. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Father, thank You for Your immeasurable generosity toward me. Manifest Your generosity through my life by enabling me to be generous with the resources, time, and gifts You have entrusted me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Weakness = Good?
The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength saved her, announce now to the people anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead." - Judges 7:2-3
Too many men?
Conventional wisdom says that the more men you take into battle the better your chances of victory. But God wanted to make sure that the Israelites didn't trust in their own power. He wanted them to trust in Him for the victory. So He whittled down their army to a mere 300 men so that there would be no way for them to take credit for the victory.
God has a pattern of working this way. Salvation is from Him, and not something we can manufacture or become worthy of (Ephesians 2:8-9) As Mark pointed out yesterday, God often calls weak people to do His work. The apostle Paul put it this way, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)"
Don't overlook Gideon's faith. He trusted God enough to send his men away. Perhaps God asking you to give something up so that you will trust Him more than you trust in yourself? What are you trusting in that prevents you from trusting in God?
Father I am weak. Help me to delight in my weakness. Lead me to surrender the things that cause me to trust in myself. I want only to trust in you, because you deserve my trust. It is foolishness for me to trust in my good or my ability. I love you Lord.
For His glory,
Matt
Too many men?
Conventional wisdom says that the more men you take into battle the better your chances of victory. But God wanted to make sure that the Israelites didn't trust in their own power. He wanted them to trust in Him for the victory. So He whittled down their army to a mere 300 men so that there would be no way for them to take credit for the victory.
God has a pattern of working this way. Salvation is from Him, and not something we can manufacture or become worthy of (Ephesians 2:8-9) As Mark pointed out yesterday, God often calls weak people to do His work. The apostle Paul put it this way, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)"
Don't overlook Gideon's faith. He trusted God enough to send his men away. Perhaps God asking you to give something up so that you will trust Him more than you trust in yourself? What are you trusting in that prevents you from trusting in God?
Father I am weak. Help me to delight in my weakness. Lead me to surrender the things that cause me to trust in myself. I want only to trust in you, because you deserve my trust. It is foolishness for me to trust in my good or my ability. I love you Lord.
For His glory,
Matt
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
God's Vision
When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "the LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Judges 6:12
Gideon was hiding in a pit from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. How is it that the angel addressed him as "mighty warrior"? The simple truth is God could see Gideon not only as he was at that moment but also as the man God would make of him. In the pages of Scripture we see that God often called weak people to do His work. He saw beyond their weakness to the strength He would build into their life as they yielded to Him.
So when God looks at us He sees not only what we are but what He desires to make us. If we will yield to Him God's vision will also be realized in our life as it was in Gideon's (and Peter's, see John 1:40-42). We need to learn to see our self through God's eyes and believe that He can make of us what He envisions. He casts His vision for our life to us in Scripture (see Mark 1:16-20, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 4:10 for examples). The big question is will we continue to be who we are in our weakness or will we yield to God so that He can bring His vision to fulfillment?
Father, help me to see my life not merely as it is but as You envision it to become. I yield my life to You this day that I might become more fully what You desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Gideon was hiding in a pit from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him. How is it that the angel addressed him as "mighty warrior"? The simple truth is God could see Gideon not only as he was at that moment but also as the man God would make of him. In the pages of Scripture we see that God often called weak people to do His work. He saw beyond their weakness to the strength He would build into their life as they yielded to Him.
So when God looks at us He sees not only what we are but what He desires to make us. If we will yield to Him God's vision will also be realized in our life as it was in Gideon's (and Peter's, see John 1:40-42). We need to learn to see our self through God's eyes and believe that He can make of us what He envisions. He casts His vision for our life to us in Scripture (see Mark 1:16-20, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 4:10 for examples). The big question is will we continue to be who we are in our weakness or will we yield to God so that He can bring His vision to fulfillment?
Father, help me to see my life not merely as it is but as You envision it to become. I yield my life to You this day that I might become more fully what You desire.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Christ's Ambassador
"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:20
Once we have become a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) it is our privilege to represent Christ in this world by appealing to others to be reconciled to God through His cross. Whatever our occupation or station in life may be we all have this common assignment to be ministers of reconciliation to the people God has placed us among. We have a mission to be Christ's ambassadors. We have the most needed and greatest message to share. We have the power of God behind us making His appeal through us. May God help us fulfill our high calling today!
Father, help me to see the people You have placed me among with spiritual eyes and to care for them with Your own compassion. Help me to be a faithful ambassador of Christ today allowing You to make Your appeal through me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Once we have become a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) it is our privilege to represent Christ in this world by appealing to others to be reconciled to God through His cross. Whatever our occupation or station in life may be we all have this common assignment to be ministers of reconciliation to the people God has placed us among. We have a mission to be Christ's ambassadors. We have the most needed and greatest message to share. We have the power of God behind us making His appeal through us. May God help us fulfill our high calling today!
Father, help me to see the people You have placed me among with spiritual eyes and to care for them with Your own compassion. Help me to be a faithful ambassador of Christ today allowing You to make Your appeal through me.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Dancing with God
"But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:5 NIV
The major battles for the conquest of Canaan were completed, the land was divided among the tribes of Israel, and now it was time to settle in and enjoy God's gift. Joshua sent the tribes off to their land with this charge to love God, walk in His ways, obey Him, hold fast to Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. Joshua warned against the very real danger of enjoying God's blessings while forgetting the One from whom we have received them.
There is an old saying, "Dance with the one who brung you." I know that most of us "good Baptists" have little experience with dancing but bear with me on this. When attending a dance with a date you should dance with the one who brought you to the dance rather than playing the field and leaving your date in the corner. So in the dance of life we need to remember and continue dancing with the one who brought us to the place of salvation and blessing. Don't leave Christ in the corner while your dancing with the world. Love the Lord, walk in His ways with Him, obey His wise commands, hold fast to Him in faith and devotion, and serve Him with your whole heart and soul. "Dance with the one who brung you."
Father, You have shown me great favor and I live daily in Your blessing. Help me to remember You and dance with You faithfully through this day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The major battles for the conquest of Canaan were completed, the land was divided among the tribes of Israel, and now it was time to settle in and enjoy God's gift. Joshua sent the tribes off to their land with this charge to love God, walk in His ways, obey Him, hold fast to Him, and serve Him wholeheartedly. Joshua warned against the very real danger of enjoying God's blessings while forgetting the One from whom we have received them.
There is an old saying, "Dance with the one who brung you." I know that most of us "good Baptists" have little experience with dancing but bear with me on this. When attending a dance with a date you should dance with the one who brought you to the dance rather than playing the field and leaving your date in the corner. So in the dance of life we need to remember and continue dancing with the one who brought us to the place of salvation and blessing. Don't leave Christ in the corner while your dancing with the world. Love the Lord, walk in His ways with Him, obey His wise commands, hold fast to Him in faith and devotion, and serve Him with your whole heart and soul. "Dance with the one who brung you."
Father, You have shown me great favor and I live daily in Your blessing. Help me to remember You and dance with You faithfully through this day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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